The Biden-Harris Administration awarded $12 million in grants to the DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to support eight marine highway projects — short-sea routes and inland water routes in the U.S. that have been designated by the Secretary of Transportation.

The funding will go towards improving the movement of goods along navigable U.S. waterways and expanding existing services in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, ultimately strengthening supply chains and leading to lower costs for consumers.

Of the $12 million being awarded, $5.8 million will go towards supporting projects in Historically Disadvantaged Communities (concentrated areas of poverty, high segregation and/or low-to-moderate access to economic opportunities).

The Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District in Louisiana was awarded the most money amongst qualifying projects mentioned by the DOT with $3.32 million. Other projects that will receive funding through the grants include the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska, the Kaskaskia Regional Port District in Illinois, the Ports of Indiana, the Port of Beaumont Navigation District of Jefferson County, Texas, Lake Michigan Carferry in Wisconsin and the Port of Bellingham in Washington as well as SeaTac Marine Services.

“The U.S. Marine Highway Program is focused on increasing waterborne transport through the nation’s navigable waterways,” said U.S. Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “By integrating our internal waterways into the nation’s surface transportation system, we will be utilizing a more efficient, effective, and sustainable option for moving passengers and large freight.”